Burnt out? Exhausted? Not enough time to get anything done? We know a working mom when we see one.
If you’re ready to work smarter not harder, these life hacks are for you! Scroll on to read genius tips from fellow, hard-working moms who have cracked the code when it comes to T-H-R-I-V-I-N-G as full-time working parents.
Post-its Are Out, Calendar Apps Are In
Keeping a central family calendar according to mom Tania Brown is a must. “An online calendar is an absolute lifesaver,” where you can also schedule “money dates” with your partner to review, balance, and maintain your finances. She suggests the free Cozi Family Organizer, which allows the user to coordinate schedules and activities across devices, track grocery lists, plan meals and manage shared to-do lists.
Outsource And Repeat
The Senior Director of Integrated Merchandising & Marketing Strategy at Fanatics, Kimberly Alula, is a big fan of outsourcing help — especially if it is within your budget and/or family members are unable to lend an extra set of hands.
“I have an affordable mother’s helper 2x a week for two hours for the crazy post-work dinner, bed, bath, dishes, and bottles blitz. It gives us peace of mind to know we have a little help and flexibility since we don’t have family locally.”
Delivered Family-Style Meals
While meal prepping is a popular suggestion, one mom shared to Reddit how getting family meals delivered saved them time and energy — especially during the weekdays. And hear them out, it may be more affordable than you think….
“Family prepared meals delivered weekly. Warm it up and eat, not box cooking (we did that too). It’s less food waste and in the end, comes back cheaper because we’re not ordering takeout/pizza on Thursday [and] Friday when food prep is either eaten or leftover and we don’t want it anymore. Also, no more pots and pans dishes. We get it delivered on Monday and Wednesday.”
No more pots and pans?! Say no more!
Tonight’s Look Is Tomorrow’s Outfit
Certified Financial Planner and mom, Cynthia Meyer, says if you have a child who challenges getting ready in the mornings, this hack is for you. After a nighttime bath or shower, let your child pick their clothes for the next day. It is perfect for your child if they are a late sleeper or have a very early start on school or childcare. “We’ve used this lifehack in our family and it works,” Meyer shares.
Your Car Is Now A Portable Closet
One mom admitted to Reddit how her car is essentially a second closet — filled to the brim with essentials.
“In my car I have a bag with the following for each kid – a change of clothes, including undies, diapers, swimsuits, sunscreen and bug spray. Now you’re ready for almost anything.”
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“Each child has different activities. I keep the equipment for each in a different bag. If it’s Tuesday, I grab the ballet bag. If it’s Sunday, I grab the swim bag.”
But wait, that’s not all! The mom also admits she keeps “a snack pack with non-perishable items like raisins, crackers, and granola bars. I also keep a case of H20 in the trunk.”
Prepared, packed and ready with snacks!
Get A Pet, Get Creative And Get Your Kid’s Opinions
Founder of PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer, Amy Walberg, has a few time-saving hacks. The first tip? It’s time to cave and get that pet.
“It sounds counterproductive, but having an animal buys me time. If I need 10 minutes to take a call, I can tell the kids to go brush the cat, and it teaches responsibility too!”
The second tip is to get into the habit of creative play.
“I encourage creativity wherever we are, and that skill has made my kids so adaptable. They can make anything into a game. Sometimes that might look like finding clovers at the park so I can take a call, but they’re having fun and not always waiting on me to create fun for them.”
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And tip number three is to ask for your kid’s opinions.
“I bring them in on the business by sharing what I’m working on and asking for their ideas — which they love. Including them seems to have made them more understanding or forgiving when I need to work harder. We’re in this together, and I want them to feel part of it.”
Dinner Is An Adults Only Activity
One working mom informed a popular Reddit thread that in their house, dinner is for adults, and after you learn about this hack — you may be tempted to try it for yourself.
“I work FT and so does my husband. Evenings are tough because my 3 y/o goes to bed at 7:30 and I don’t get home until 5:30-5:45. We decided to have him eat first and we sit with him and chat about his day. After dinner one of us does bath/bedtime, and the other makes our ‘adult’ dinner. This way we get to relax and talk while our bub sleeps. Once he gets older and has a later bedtime and likes more of a variety of food, this will change, but for right now it really works for us.”
Streamline Your Starbucks
Founder & CEO of Tutu School Genevieve Custer Weeks swears by Starbucks app.
“No, but really. It also helps to have kind baristas at your neighborhood Starbucks who pretend not to notice when you run in to pick up an emergency ‘car picnic’ breakfast before school multiple times in the same week.”
And also, what mom doesn’t need a pick me up grande latte?
Put The Kids On Payroll
“Have the kids handle a chore and pay them for it. Even if they don’t do it perfectly, they are learning how to do it and participating in the family business,” says financial planner Daphne Winston.
She shared how paid her twins (who are now adults) for doing extra chores, and her mother paid her when she was a child. This will not only help your child learn the value of money but also help keep the house clean and teach responsibility.
Two Words: Robot Vacuum
According to one mom, getting a robot vacuum was a game changer.
“We bought it a month or so after my first was born, and almost 5 years later, it is still my favorite home appliance,” the mom shared to a popular Reddit thread.
“Not only does it run more often than I would otherwise (and man, with kids and crackers, that’s a must), but it also leaves [soothing] little zen lines in my carpet. AND because you have to have a clean floor for it to work, it makes us pick up the floor clutter at least every other night. My kids are almost 5 and almost 3 now, and they know what ‘vacuum’ clean is for both the playroom/living room (a connected space) and their bedrooms. They like to press the button to start it, so that’s weirdly motivational.”